Guards

On my specialized Hardrock i had a see-through plastic guard in between my hub and cassete.... It wasnt securely on there and there was no way to secure it and it was clicking when i pedalled so i took it off... it wasnt exactly easy to get off.. I had to burn it off using a lighter :S

Does anyone have any idea if it should have stayed on or if it will affect the running of the bike by taking it off?

I call them "Dork Discs", but I've been known to be a bike snob! Go to the "Bicycle Mechanics" threads and find the Barnett's Manuals at the top, download the one on adjusting your rear derailleurs. You need to set you "stop" to prevent the rear derailleur from overshifting to the inside and subsequently between your cassette and your spokes (NOT PRETTY!). Also, www.parktool.com has a "how to" section that I think is very informative and helpful!

L8R

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger

Ummmm actually KleinMp99 it'd have to be more than 16 inches, if you take into account that when you are in the lowest gear the der cage actually drops down to a lower point. So if you are going to also be a sarcastic bastard get your facts straight first also!

if you aren't having fun, then you get rigid, stiff, crash, cry and then you make your new friend run away..... (there don't you feel less nervous now?)

when it's snowin check this place out http://www.treelinemedia.ca/phpBB2/index.php

Originally posted by slcpunk21 Wow shouldn't you know what you're talking about first before you become a sarcastic bastard?

You would be right IF (notice the big IF) we were talking about the der getting pushed into the spokes. BUT (notice the but) we are not talking about that happening, we ARE talking about the plastic spoke guard. Why is it there? So if the chain derails off the cassette into the spokes it will not get stuck behind there and then tear off the der from sucking up the chain and der!

I'll admit that the chain will contact the spokes first (jeez cut a guy a break early in the morning) but before you question the relevance of my arguement bear in mind that the plastic guard also keeps the der from being pushed into the spokes. More often than not whenever the chain goes over the cassette the der cage will snag a spoke causing the damage that you describe. I used the picture of the bent hanger to show the relation / proximity of an out of adjustment der would have. (It was also the first one I could find shot from that angle) It would be the cage around the TOP pulley (again my bad) that would snag the spoke (the one closest to the "pie plate"). The chain may hit the spoke first but the derailieur does more of the damage when it actually crosses the plane of the spoke.

I have just removed a heap of inappropriate and frankly unnecessary posts from this thread. Can I ask you all to take a moment to read the forum guidelines?

Respectfulness... We expect our member to show respect for others. Respecting their person, their views, their time and their opinions, and their belief systems ... even if you disagree with them.

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